Phil Parkinson reflected on a morale-boosting win against Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night and insisted ‘the sky’s the limit’ for his talented young Altrincham team.

A spectacular second-half strike by Chris Conn-Clarke proved the difference, on Oldham’s first-ever competitive visit to The J.Davidson Stadium, and helped banish the memory of two points slipping from Alty’s grasp before the BT Sport cameras in the dying seconds of Saturday’s 4-4 draw at Torquay United.

While Parkinson freely admitted inexperience had cost his side dear at Plainmoor, after they led 2-0 at half time and 4-3 going into added time, he was just as sure their youthful exuberance and enterprise can take the club to new heights.

“I’m absolutely delighted, so pleased for the players after the work they’ve put in over the past couple of weeks,” said the Alty boss.

“It’s all about consistency, but they can achieve whatever they want to in this division.

“The sky’s the limit for this team, but they are young and still learning. There will be more really exciting nights like this ahead, but we need to stay behind them and keep giving them the support they need.

“When I look back to when we took over and were playing teams like Barwell in our first season, I didn’t think I’d be standing here now, reflecting on a game against a team who were in the Premier League not all that long ago.

“I’m proud of what we have achieved, and I certainly want more. These are special occasions under the lights, and it took something special to settle it.

“We have got players who can do that, but I was beginning to wonder whether it was ever going to come.

“Then, Chris steps up and delivers, and it was some finish.

“I knew he was going to be a top player when I first saw him for Fleetwood, but he has taken his time to develop here.

“We stuck by him and are now seeing the fruits of that patience.”